shanty

1
[ shan-tee ]
See synonyms for: shantyshantiershantiest on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural shan·ties.
  1. a crudely built hut, cabin, or house.

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or constituting a shanty or shanties: a shanty quarter outside the town walls.

  2. of a low economic or social class, especially when living in a shanty: shanty people.

verb (used without object),shan·tied, shan·ty·ing.
  1. to inhabit a shanty.

Origin of shanty

1
1810–20; probably <Canadian French chantier lumber camp, hut; French: yard, depot, gantry, stand for barrels <Latin cant(h)ērius rafter, prop, literally, horse in poor condition, nag <Greek kanthḗlios pack ass

Other words from shanty

  • shan·ty·like, adjective

Words Nearby shanty

Other definitions for shanty (2 of 2)

shanty2
[ shan-tee ]

noun,plural shan·ties.
  1. a sailors' song, especially one sung in rhythm to work.

Origin of shanty

2
First recorded 1855–60; alteration of French chanter “to sing”; see origin at chant
  • Also chant·y, chan·tey [shan-tee, chan-] /ˈʃæn ti, ˈtʃæn-/ .
  • Sometimes shan·tey .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use shanty in a sentence

  • Then Valls ordered their makeshift shanty-towns and trailer parks in several cities torn down.

    Roma Immigrants Have Set France on Edge | Christopher Dickey, Alice Guilhamon | October 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • It was in full sight from the door of the little shanty in which Aunt Ri's carpet-loom stood.

    Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson
  • They crossed the road, and entered the huge shanty, and stood apologetically near the door.

    Hilda Lessways | Arnold Bennett
  • Would you mind asking your Jap to make us some sandwiches and come with me up to my mountain shanty?

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • "Calculate we kin git a drink there," said Scattergood, pointing to a little shanty in a clearing by the roadside.

    Scattergood Baines | Clarence Budington Kelland
  • I got his affidavit, and we parted the best of friends, he urging me to call at his shanty and see Mary Jane and the kids.

    The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes

British Dictionary definitions for shanty (1 of 2)

shanty1

/ (ˈʃæntɪ) /


nounplural -ties
  1. a ramshackle hut; crude dwelling

  2. Australian and NZ a public house, esp an unlicensed one

  1. (formerly, in Canada)

    • a log bunkhouse at a lumber camp

    • the camp itself

Origin of shanty

1
C19: from Canadian French chantier cabin built in a lumber camp, from Old French gantier gantry

British Dictionary definitions for shanty (2 of 2)

shanty2

shantey US chanty or chantey (ˈʃæntɪ, ˈtʃæn-)

/ (ˈʃæntɪ) /


nounplural -ties or -teys
  1. a song originally sung by sailors, esp a rhythmic one forming an accompaniment to work

Origin of shanty

2
C19: from French chanter to sing; see chant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012